Space exploration: Expert sees Singapore role

NTU_PageContent

​​​​​​

Professor Charles Elachi worked for over 30 years with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he was once its director. ST PHOTO ONG WEE JIN

The future of space exploration could involve hundreds of small spacecraft taking part in a single mission, and Singapore – with its advanced technology and highly educated population – is well-poised to contribute to this. This is the view of space scientist Charles Elachi, whose work with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) over 30 years saw the launching of around 45 spacecraft.

Speaking at NTU after delivering a lecture on space exploration, Prof Elachi said, “In Singapore, NTU has a superb programme in building small spacecraft and particularly now it’s becoming a lot more affordable to launch small spacecraft. Even after retiring as JPL’s director, US-based Prof Elachi is keeping busy at 70 years old. He plans to come to Singapore twice a year as a visiting professor, on the invitation of NTU President Subra Suresh. Prof Suresh’s inauguration as NTU president on 22 February was one of the reasons why Prof Elachi was in Singapore, in addition to delivering his public lecture and meeting the local faculty.